Question 1
1.1. Engineers have to consider many factors when and variables when designing a new product,
name them.
When designing a new product, engineers must consider a range of interrelated factors and variables
to ensure functionality, safety, and market success. These include:
Functionality and Performance: The product must reliably perform its intended purpose.
Safety: The product should not pose risks to users, operators, or the environment during normal
use or foreseeable misuse.
Cost: Manufacturing, material, labour, and maintenance costs must be controlled to achieve a
viable selling price.
Materials and Manufacturing Processes: Selection of appropriate, available materials and
compatible production methods.
Aesthetics and Ergonomics: The product’s appearance, user-friendliness, and comfort of use.
Reliability and Durability: The expected lifespan and consistent performance under stated
conditions.
Maintainability and Serviceability: Ease of repair, part replacement, and routine upkeep.
Environmental Impact: Lifecycle considerations, including resource consumption, emissions,
waste, and recyclability.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to industry standards, safety regulations,
intellectual property laws, and product certification requirements (ENM2601, Study Guide,
2022).
1.2. Discuss the 4 (four) principles that an ethical person must show in a workplace?
An ethical person in the workplace demonstrates four core principles, which guide their behaviour
and decision-making:
Integrity: This involves acting honestly and consistently, even when no one is watching. An
ethical employee does not cut corners, falsify records, or mislead colleagues or clients.
Integrity means standing by one’s principles and being trustworthy in all professional dealings
(Nel WP, 2024).
Respect: Ethical individuals show respect for the dignity, rights, and opinions of all colleagues,
subordinates, and superiors. This includes active listening, avoiding discrimination or
harassment, valuing diversity, and maintaining a professional and courteous demeanour
regardless of personal differences (ENM2601, Study Guide, 2022).
Responsibility and Accountability: An ethical person takes ownership of their tasks, decisions,
and their consequences. Rather than blaming others or external factors, they admit mistakes,
learn from failures, and actively work to correct problems. This principle also involves
fulfilling commitments and deadlines (Nel WP, 2024).
Fairness and Justice: This principle requires treating all stakeholders impartially and without
favouritism. An ethical employee makes unbiased decisions, gives credit where it is due,
avoids conflicts of interest, and applies rules and policies equally to everyone in the workplace
(ENM2601, Study Guide, 2022).